West Ham United beat Fulham to secure deal for Alphonse Areola
West Ham United have beaten Fulham in the race to sign Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, according to a report from 90 Min.
The Hammers have triggered their option to buy the goalkeeper permanently from PSG, and they are close to confirming his return, after he spent the 2021-22 season on loan at the London Stadium.
The report (26 June) adds that Areola is expected to be at the London club on Monday after the Hammers have activated their £11m option to sign him.
90Min suggest that Areola received interest from a host of clubs, but Fulham were particularly keen. Areola spent time on loan at Craven Cottage in the 2020/21 campaign, but the Hammers have got their man.
Brilliant signing
It seems Areola will soon become the club’s second major signing of the summer after the Hammers already landed Nayef Aguerd from Rennes.
The 29-year-old managed 17 games last season for West Ham and impressed heavily in cup games.
He kept eight clean sheets last season including a stupendous performance against Sevilla and played his part in taking the club to the semi-final of the Europa League.
However, he is expected to fight for the first-choice position with Lukasz Fabianski. Surely, he must have gotten the assurance from David Moyes, otherwise, he wouldn’t have committed his future.
Sky Sports have reported on 26 June (transfer live blog, 11 am) that the player will agree a five-year deal at the club, which means he is expected to be the backbone of the side for years to come.
The fact that the Hammers have managed to pull off a deal for him among other suitors shows shows how serious David Moyes has been to bring him to the club.